Bridge handrail



J. D. BOND ET AL Nov. 3, 1936. v

BRIDGE HANDRAIL Filed June 19, 1935 Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRIDGE HANDRAIL Application June 19, 1935, Serial No. 27,443

3 Claims.

This invention relates to bridge hand rail and culvert guard rail construction, the primary object of the invention being to provide a rail of this character so constructed that inclined upper surfaces are provided extending from the ends of the rails to the central portions thereof, eliminating abrupt vertical shoulders at the ends of the rails. Another object of the invention is to provide a bridge hand rail or culvert guard rail which will present a gradually inclined upper surface to contact with the axle of a vehicle moving thereover, gradually stopping the vehicle by its frictional contact with the axle, and at the same time causing the vehicle to be tilted inwardly towards the road surface.

With the foregoing and other objects in view,

which will appear as the description proceeds, the

invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bridge or culvert supplied with a guard rail constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the foundation of the bridge or culvert is indicated by the reference character 5, while the bridge proper or road surface of the structure, is indicated by the reference character 6. As shown, the bridge is constructed by concrete or suitable plastic material, however it is to be understood that this guard rail or hand rail may be employed in connection with iron bridge structures, or as a matter of fact any type of bridge structure wherein a hand rail or guard rail is employed.

The hand rail or guard rail is indicated by the reference character I, and in this particular type of bridge or culvert, is constructed of concrete, the lengths of the hand or guard rails being such that they extend appreciable distances beyond the ends of the bridge proper, so that the rails will be of sufiicient height at points directly over the bridge or culvert, to guard the bridge or culvert.

These hand or guard rails have their upper surfaces inclined from points intermediate the ends thereof, to the ends of the rails, the ends of the rails being substantially at ground level presenting an upper surface having a gradual curve from the ends.

The reference character l0 designates hub guards formed at the bases of the hand or guard rails I, the hub guards extending. inwardly from the inner side faces of the rails so that they will contact with a wheel at a point below the hub thereof preventing the fenders of the vehicle from contacting with the guard or hand rails to damage and possibly wreck the vehicle.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described abrupt shoulders or walls at the ends of the hand rails or guard rails are eliminated, and a motor vehicle striking the rails at their ends, will ride over the inclined surfaces of the rails, in a manner shown by Figure 2 of the drawing, the wheels 8 and axle 9 of a vehicle being shown in outline. It will be obvious that as the vehicle rides over the inclined surface the frictional contact between the axle and upper surface of the rail will tend to retard and finally stopthe vehicle without severe damage to the vehicle and occupants of the vehicle.

It will be further obvious that a construction of this character may tend to tilt the vehicle inwardly towards the road surface eliminating any possibility of the vehicle being tilted outwardly towards the ditch or stream spanned by the bridge.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A hand rail for bridges, comprising a member having its ends extended appreciable distances beyond the ends of the bridge with which the rail is used, the upper edge of the rail being gradually curved downwardly in opposite directions from a point intermediate the ends thereof, to the ends of the rail, and the ends of the rail being substantially at ground level.

2. A hand rail for bridges comprising a body portion constructed of concrete, the upper edge of the hand rail being curved gradually downwardly in opposite directions from a point centrally of the body portion to the ends thereof, and the ends of the rail being substantially at ground level.

3. A hand rail for bridges comprising a body portion constructed of concrete material, a hub guard extending longitudinally of the body portion at the base thereof and projecting beyond the inner surface of the body portion, the upper edge of the body portion being gradually curved downwardly from the center of the body portion and merging into the hub guard at the ends of the rail.

JAMES DANIEL BOND. ALPHEUS VERE MARBRY. 

